What is it and
why is it important?
“Terroir” is a French word that signifies the natural conditions of a vineyard like soil composition, elevation, sun exposure, climate, and other unique characteristics.
Collectively, these characteristics are said to have a character; terroir also refers to this character.
Terroir is, in effect, the taste of the place.
The terroir of the Olifants River can be described as diverse in a climactic sense.
The biggest climate driver in the area is the Atlantic ocean and proximity to the ocean determines the climatic conditions. Average February temperatures range from under 20°C at Lutouw 7 km from the ocean to just over 25°C in Trawal 35 km from the ocean. Our red and yellow/brown sandy loam soils are well suited for a range of Cultivars for quality wine production. On the riverbanks, the soils can be described as alluvial with good water-holding capacity for bigger canopy growth.
Wine of Origin Scheme:
Region: Olifants River
District: Citrusdal Mountain
Wards: Piekenierskloof
District: Lutzville Valley
Wards: Koekenaap, Bamboes Bay
District: Citrusdal Valley
Wards (no region/district):Spruitdrift, Vredendal, Lambers Bay
The soil is mainly sandy alluvial soil from the surrounding Table Mountain sandstone mountains. The climate of the high-lying inland ward of Piekenierskloof is conducive to organic cultivation. Average temperatures are cooler than in the valley and average rainfall is higher. The valley stretches from predominantly citrus-producing Citrusdal in the south to Koekenaap in the north. The West coast wine route runs in a belt along the broad valley of the Olifants River and incorporates the stand-alone Lambert’s Bay ward on the coast and the high-altitude wards of Piekenierskloof . The southern part of the valley up until Clanwilliam has an annual average rainfall of 370 mm. Irrigation is obtained from the Clanwilliam dam, where the water is of excellent quality.
The soil is mainly sandy alluvial soil from the surrounding Table Mountain sandstone mountains. The climate of the high-lying inland ward of Piekenierskloof is conducive to organic cultivation. Isolated high-altitude vineyards are also found in the stand-alone Cederberg ward. Average temperatures are cooler than in the valley and average rainfall is higher. The valley stretches from predominantly citrus-producing Citrusdal in the south to Koekenaap in the north.
Weather Station: Stagmanskop
Altitude: 587 m
Dominant Influence: Enclosed valley and mountain platos
Heat Summation: 2 036°C days (IV)
MFT: 22.8°C
Continentality: 10.5°C
Total Rain: 473 mm
Summer Rain: 147 mm
Seasonal Evaporation: 1 666 mm
Aridity Index: 520 mm
Geology: Sandstone-derived alluvium and colluvium
Dominant Soils: Dundee, Hutton, Clovelly, Glenrosa
Region: Olifants River
District: Lutzville Valley
Ward: Koekenaap
Wards (no district): Bamboes Bay, Spruitdrift, Vredendal
Weather Station: Ebenhaezer
Altitude: 30 m
Dominant Influence: Proximity to cold Atlantic Ocean
Heat Summation: 1 688°C days (II-III)
MFT: 19.6°C
Continentality: 6°C
Total Rain: 122 mm
Summer Rain: 48 mm
Seasonal Evaporation: 1 442 mm
Aridity Index: 454 mm
Geology: Old river delta deposits
Dominant Soils: Red-brown Oakleaf, dorbank calcareous Trawal
SOURCE:
ASPECT – the Winelands of South Africa, In-depth information & detailed topographical maps & WOSA
Further north, the river turns back towards the southwest and flows into the cold Atlantic Ocean. Intensive viticulture takes place in this part of the region, which incorporates the
wards of Vredendal and Spruitdrift, as well as the cooler, sea-influenced wards of Koekenaap and Bamboes Bay. Here the average yearly rainfall is 220 mm.
Medium-textured, very fertile alluvial soil is found on the lower river terraces, while reddish-brown, medium-textured, calcareous duripan Karoo soil, similar to those of the Klein Karoo, is found on the higher reaches. Red windblown sand with underlying calcareous silcrete layers can be found in isolated areas on higher landscapes.
The alluvial and reddish-brown Karoo soil is very rich in indications and phosphate and often contains free lime. Closer to the cold Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Koekenaap, vineyards can be found where cooler climates ensure high-quality slow-ripening grapes. The most widely planted white wine variety in the Olifants River region is Chenin Blanc and the main red wine varieties are Shiraz, Pinotage, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
With careful canopy management, which ensures grapes are shaded by the vines’ leaves, combined with modern winemaking techniques, the Olifants River is proving to be a source of quality, affordable wines.